general

/ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: generals · generaling · generalling · generaled

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Bao gồm hoặc liên quan đến mọi phần hoặc thành viên

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed […].

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đứng đầu về cấp bậc, tối cao

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người giữ chức vụ quân sự cao cấp

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

General Eisenhower was the first SACEUR.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A great strategist or tactician.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người chiến lược hoặc chiến thuật vĩ đại

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “general” mean?

Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.

Is “general” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.